Justice for rail victim

A LEADING Liverpool solicitor, who fought a lengthy campaign to win compensation for rail passengers injured when they fell through faulty train doors, last night praised the Daily Post after one of his clients was awarded around #250,000 in damages.

A LEADING Liverpool solicitor, who fought a lengthy campaign to win compensation for rail passengers injured when they fell through faulty train doors, last night praised the Daily Post after one of his clients was awarded around #250,000 in damages.

Doug Fraser commended the paper for repeatedly supporting his calls to investigate numerous similar cases, all of which occurred on high-speed InterCity services.

During the late 80s and early 90s, according to the Health and Safety Executive, around 17 people were killed each year falling from moving carriages on the nation's rail network.

Initially, British Rail, as it then was, refused to accept that there was any problem with its doors.

But, following Mr Fraser's campaign, it eventually embarked on a multi-million pound overhaul of locking systems.

Speaking after yesterday's judgment at Liverpool High Court, the solicitor said: "We have said for years that it is possible for a door that appears to be closed not to be secure in its frame.

"British Rail denied that, then spent #19m fitting a secondary locking device to doors which they had said there was no problem with, and almost instantly the falls stopped."

Mr Fraser, from Silverman-Livermore, added: "The stance the Daily Post took all those years ago - that it can and did happen - has been completely vindicated and I would like to thank the paper wholeheartedly for its support.

"Hopefully, this ruling today may bring other potential claimants out of the woodwork."

The presiding judge ruled that the British Railways Board had breached its duty of care in relation to David Cronin, who suffered appalling injuries in an incident in March, 1993.

A member of the Royal Irish Regiment, he had been travelling between Newport in Gwent and Swindon in Wiltshire when the accident happened.

The lance-corporal, who was on his way back from a promotion training course, along with two colleagues, told the court during a two-day hearing how he suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, two fractured femurs and concussion when he plunged from the train.

Mr Cronin, 30, was found covered in blood, drifting in and out of consciousness a mile down the track, after the driver had slammed on the brakes realising a door had opened.

The soldier recalled a near-death experience as he lay by the tracks: "I remember talking to my grandfather who is dead and him telling me: 'What are you doing here? Shut your eyes and you'll go back.'

"The next thing I remember was waking up in intensive care."

His injuries have subsequently led to him suffering irritability, as well as memory loss.

The court was told Mr Cronin, who now lives in the Irish Republic, had anticipated being in the Army for at least 22 years but was medically discharged last July.

The British Railways Board (BRB), which denied any liability, had alleged the claimant had been drinking and only fell out of the door after opening it.

But, in his judgment, Mr Justice McCombe said he accepted the careful evidence of Mr Cronin's fellow passengers that they had seen their friend pull down the door window to get some fresh air seconds before the fall.